Hotel becomes a place of refuge

By Jemima Laing
BBC News

Nigel Tarrant has lived at the Trebarwith Hotel in Newquay since he was three years old.

In his 43 years there he has never seen anything like the fire that engulfed the Penhallow Hotel 200 yards away in the early hours of Saturday.

"One of the guests rang down just after midnight to say they could see flames coming out of a hotel down the road," said Mr Tarrant.

"I went outside and could see the flames leaping out."

At first just a couple of people came to take refuge in the hotel Mr Tarrant now runs with his wife Jane.

"Then a lot of people started coming up the road and we threw open the doors of the lounges and bar to take care of them, of course we didn't think twice."

We just did what we could to help Nigel Tarrant Demolition begins at hotel Eyewitnesses describe drama

Mr Tarrant said the hotel welcomed guests from both the Penhallow Hotel and surrounding hotels.

"I think we had about 70 people here in total overnight - we just did what we could to help.

"We offered them tea and coffee and blankets and brandy.

"Some people seemed very shocked but everyone was pretty calm."

One of those from the Penhallow Hotel who took refuge with Mr Tarrant was Charles Snook from Richmond, North Yorkshire.

"Looking back at the hotel it's absolutely frightening to think I was asleep in there eight or so hours ago," he said.

"I saw somebody jump through a window. I just can't describe it - you fight for your life with people you've sort of bonded with for that week.

"When I got out of the hotel all I could see was flames. It was just an inferno, an absolute inferno.

"I took my family to the Trebarwith Hotel - I just wanted the family out in case the whole place erupted."

'A tragic thing'

Speaking as the last of his unexpected guests was about to leave, Mr Tarrant said he was looking forward to getting a bit of rest after being up all night.

"It's just a terrible thing to happen," he said.

"Newquay is a beautiful place which gets very busy during the summer and has something to appeal to everybody.

"It such a tragic and sad thing and obviously won't be forgotten for a long time to come."

Dan Rogerson, Lib Dem MP for Cornwall North, paid tribute to his constituents' "characteristic compassion".

"They've rallied to help those who have been displaced on their summer holiday.

"The emergency services, too, have been doing a brilliant job, with great courage," he said.